[G0MZS]

I have had a hen die a few weeks back. It was an ex battery hen. For a few day running upto it's death the hen was sleeping on it's feet and had a dirty backside. I now have another hen with the same symptoms... The hens are fully freerange and have fresh water and layers pellets available all through the day. I also make sure oyster shell is around for them. Any ideas what may be the problem? It can't be contagious as the gab between the two is many weeks...

Thanks in advance.

[shetlandpaul]

worms. you say they are ex bats they would never had a worm load now they will. check for bugs on them as well. but it may be worth giving a cider vinegar and a vit boost. if they have what sounds like a cold then you need to get antibiotics to drench them with if they have funny looking poo then you need to get medicine to put in there water for cocchosis. but it could be anything thats killing them. the only realway of finding out is open a dead one up a see what looks bad. this would help narrow down whats up.

[suzanne]

Hi,

As a follow on to this, we had a chicken with the same symptoms but added to them waas the fact that she looked very depressed and she was pecking in the air for her food.  We fed her by hand for 2 weeks, some days she looked better, others worse and then out of the blue she died!  The other 7 are fine, all are wormed regularly and free of any mites etc.  Does anyone have any idea what was wrong?
Thanks for your help,
Suzanne

[lisam]

sounds a bit like coiccodosis (sorry cant spell it correctly!!)  I have lost a good few of my hens this summer from it.  Seems to affect them all differantly.  I had a few of mine post mortemed which confirmed it.  I tried coxxoid but it didnt work.  I have been using orego stim (if you google it you will find it).  Seems to be doing the trick so far.  Have a good look through there poo (delightful job!!) and see if you can see any blood, this is a classic sign but not all of mine that died had blook in their poo so not always an indicator!  Hope that helps a bit!!